Mailing Babies
By Dawnsummer
@misunderstood_zombie (8765)
United States
January 18, 2021 9:54pm CST
In the early twentieth century, some parents would mail their babies (quite alone) to their desired destination. I recently watched this video, although it sounds like an old wives tale of some kind but it's apparently true.
I believe most of the babies went on a train to their location, and the reason for this extreme behavior--it was cheaper than a train ticket.
In fact, the first baby was mailed at a cost of 15 cents, yet for the parents benefit, they insured him for 50 dollars.
This type of behavior today would ensue a prison sentence and many dislikes on Facebook.
https://pixabay.com/photos/newborn-baby-feet-basket-young-1399155/
When American Parcel Post services launched on January 1, 1913, citizens suddenly found themselves with a revelatory new way of getting objects from point A ...
13 people like this
14 responses
@BelleStarr (61463)
• United States
19 Jan 21
When I read up in it it seems they weren’t actually boxed, they walked along with or were carried by a mail carrier. Seems like it was under 10 kids in total. And only for a year or so until a regulation was pasted, no humans in mail.
4 people like this
@misunderstood_zombie (8765)
• United States
16 Jun 21
Yes, it's a good thing that it didn't last more than a year.
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (502427)
• Italy
16 Jun 21
@misunderstood_zombie It is weird that they allowed to do something like that.
2 people like this
@jobelbojel (36796)
• Philippines
25 Jan 21
I am glad there is already a law in place. If not, babies might be hurt while transit.
3 people like this
@misunderstood_zombie (8765)
• United States
16 Jun 21
I am also. @BelleStarr found out that it was for only around a year--thank goodness.
1 person likes this
@Letranknight2015 (52665)
• Philippines
23 Jan 21
THat was just crazy! those people took it to a new level
2 people like this
@misunderstood_zombie (8765)
• United States
16 Jun 21
I think we are more careful these days about our children thank goodness.
1 person likes this
@Namelesss (3364)
• United States
19 Jan 21
That's interesting. So mailing them was an inexpensive way to take their baby along on the train. LOL
I can clearly see why they would put a stop to it though.
1 person likes this
@Deepizzaguy (122137)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
19 Jan 21
I did know that back in the early 20th century babies were mailed to their destinations.
2 people like this
I have not heard about mailing babies. Thanks for the info.
@misunderstood_zombie (8765)
• United States
24 Jun 21
Thank goodness it didn't last long.
1 person likes this
@porwest (112876)
• United States
23 Jun 21
This does seem like a very strange practice and I had not heard of this being done before. Times are so different now than in the past. Some for the better of course, and some for the worse.
But yes, I cannot imagine the consequences of someone doing this today.
1 person likes this
@misunderstood_zombie (8765)
• United States
24 Jun 21
Yes, I'm so happy that there are so many laws now to protect children. Of course, sadly they don't always work, but better than in the past.
1 person likes this
@porwest (112876)
• United States
26 Jun 21
@misunderstood_zombie I can imagine today all the perverts would love the old way.
1 person likes this
@misunderstood_zombie (8765)
• United States
17 Jun 21
Thank goodness it didn't last long.
1 person likes this
